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Teen Charged With Fatal Shooting In Gage Park

CHICAGO (STMW) — A 17-year-old boy was denied bond Monday for allegedly fatally shooting a fellow gang member during a dispute over money early Sunday in the Gage Park neighborhood, Homicide Watch Chicago is reporting.

On Saturday, Jara and Joshua Martinez got into an argument over the phone about money that the 17-year-old Jara allegedly owed Martinez, Assistant State’s Attorney Glendon Runk said.

Martinez, 20, went to South Albany Avenue and West 52nd Street early Sunday to meet Jara, who said he did not have the money, Runk said. A fight ensued, but was broken up by people at the scene.

Jara said he had the money at his home in the 3000 block of West 53rd Place, and a witness walked with the pair to the residence, Runk said.

Jara went inside the front door while Martinez and the witness waited on the porch, Runk said. Less than a minute later, Jara allegedly cracked open the front door and fired five shots at Martinez with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with a laser scope.

Martinez was shot in the back of the head, lower back, left side and left shoulder and fell from the front porch, Runk said.

Martinez, of the 4900 block of South Karlov Avenue, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

The witness was cut by glass from the front door and fled into the street, Runk said.

Police recovered a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun from Jara’s home and took him into custody at the scene, Runk said. The witness also identified Jara as the shooter.

Jara was charged as an adult with one count of first-degree murder, authorities said. Judge James Brown ordered him held without bond at a Monday hearing.

Jara is a sophomore at Curie Metro High School and has lived at the home his entire life, his public defender said.